This is quickly becoming one of the best Half Marathons in town and people showed up bigtime this year because of the better than normal weather.

They killed it with a warm soft hoody this year over the previous years of long sleeve tech hoodie wierd things.

Pretty limited on the aid but no big deal for a half and I run them pretty much fasted anyhow.

This is one of the prettier Jackson County Park areas that doesn't get alot of traffic from the masses other than sporting events like this. Fall foliage was great this year and super having a clear road and trail.

Just a quick get in and get out at one of the running store locations so really n/a on the expo.

This race really doesn't have much in the way of elevation. The biggest draw back to this race is the gravel trail for the last 3 ish miles that is a bit tricky to manage if the gravel hasn't been managed well by the Parks Department. It was a little deep this year and definitely had an impact on speed over those last few miles.

Parking is tricky but if you get to the race at least an hour early you won't have a problem. If you don't show up an hour early you are going to get stuck show up late and ruin your day just FYI.

KC Running does put on the best races in KC. This race is a fine example of that as well.

I actually bonked hard with cramps on the race but I got to run almost the entire course and it is very scenic. If I can pass along any advice I would say start easy. The front part of the course is the most technical by far.

I love that Carolyn with Timer Guys keeps it simple. A good ol' cotton T and a shiny belt buckle for the 50k...if you finish ;) .

Aid stations are great. The boy scouts were awesome on this year for sure. They absolutely saved me from letting myself get in any worse shape.

Easy parking right at the start/finish is plentiful but still show up with plenty of time there is not good cell service so punch it in before you leave.

Elevation is not easy but for sure manageable.

Timers guy events are typically down home and easy to understand. Carolyn and the team do a wonderful job with these typically smaller and or limited entry races.

The Catholics know how to party!! I've ran this race for years and I cannot kick the habit. This is a low key out of the way gem.

The shirt is hit and miss from year to year but the medal is a keeper every time. Who doesn't love an animated cow medal and a cow bell to go with it?!?!

Aid stations improve with the distance but are more than ample at any point in the race.

Here is the deal. You're out in rural Kansas ok. It's an asphalt road around a few family farms and some big ol' estate houses. You may or may not see a cow on the course depending on the day but we had one for photo ops at the start / finish this year!

KC Running company will always be good to get you out some expo swag and goodies but it's a low key race don't expect too much on this front.

The race is gentle rolling. I personally like this type of a course so that no one muscle group gets overused during the race. I've heard some newer runners complain about it but it's no biggie for veteran runners or back of the packers alike. ALSO, back of the packers are treated quite well at this race as well.

Parking has come a long ways for this race. As long as the rain holds off you get to start right at the race start. If it has been soggy you're going to get bused in from a far so that why it's not a five star.

Whoa, again the Catholics know how to take care of runners. You will never have the opportunity to eat more than you will at this race. Every sweet old grandma and church lady brings out their best recipe to spoil you with at the after race party.

The overall experience of this race is AMAZING!! If you are looking to PR a down hill 4 mile race this is the one. The race benefits Children's Center for the Visually Impaired who does an amazing job in this community for disable children.

The T-shirt this year was the softest I received out of at least a dozen runs I've done. It's a keeper.

Not much aid on this course but come on it's 4 miles??

You will run through Brookside which is filled with beautiful turn of the century homes up till about the 1930's. The finish is literally in The Country Club Plaza District so bring some dollars for shopping after the race.

The race expo was next door to the Garry Gribbles Ward Parkway this year. It is typically held somewhere in the Ward Parkway Shopping Mall. Come on its a 4 mile race. Pickup you bib, your shirt, browse GG's and get on with your day. :)

This race is a point to point gentle down hill!!! Nuff said.

2 thoughts on the parking depending on how you approach this race. 1) I'm a seasoned runner and I plan to run back to my car that I park near the start line so no biggie for me. 2) Oh good lorht, you better get to the parking area at least 2 hours early minimum or you won't make it to the start on time. The busing is great and effective but it does take a lot of doing to get thousands of runners 4 miles up the road so plan accordingly.

I've never experienced a short event that is SO highly produced as this one. Like I stated before CCVI is an amazing organization beloved for their work in the community and the corporate sponsors shine at the finish line feast. Pizza, chocolate milk, bagels, fruit, etc. Bar-none the best race under half marathon in town.

This race has grown in quality and overall production since Dave Borchardt took the reigns and brought Garmin in as the title sponsor. I personally didn't mind the race prior to this but the new course design seems to be getting some good attention from first time runners with the super fast down hill finish.

The swag has also gone next level with custom distance medals, t-shirts, hoodies, etc. If you live locally you also have a chance to win Lulu Lemon, Garmin, and KC Marathon Merch at one of the many organized group run training events throughout the year.

Aid stations are typical big city race items with energy gels only getting on the course later in the race for half and marathon runners, which I personally appreciate.

You will have the chance to see pretty much every iconic KC landmark on this run so keep on the lookout as you run through by downtown Power and Light, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, 18th and Vine Jazz district, Westport, Country Club Plaza, Sunset Hill Neighborhood, etc.

Great 3 day expo with a large conference center full of your typical big city race vendors with all of your last minute race needs and probably some windows and siding options if you live in town. ;)

This course can sneak up on you in places. The new course allows for a couple mile warm up before you hit the first incline section and then this repeats throughout the event a couple miles rest followed by a training opportunity section (what i like to call it) right up until the end when you sprint down a quarter mile long hill that catapults you to the finish. Be careful if your quads are blow at this point.

Parking and porta potties are in abundance at the start look toward the Western boundary of Washington Park where the race begins and you will find fresh unused potties hiding in the dark. ;) This race is top notch produced with the typical anthem and fireworks start. I've heard rumors of some modified wave start coming for 2019 which might help start line congestion to ease up a bit.